Plus: Why the nationalists’ proposals were a sham; thanks to Goldsmith and Major; and how to get the most out of a woodburner

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A disaster for unionists

Sir: I share Alex Massie’s view that ‘this election is going to be a disaster’ for us unionists (‘Divided we fall’, 28 February). It is almost too painful to recall that it will mark the 60th anniversary of a great victory in May 1955 when the Tories, standing as Scottish Unionists, won more seats north of the border than their opponents and helped give Anthony Eden a secure majority. Under the baleful influence of George Osborne, who could not care less about the constitution, there seems little chance that the Tories will redeem themselves by proposing the one remaining policy that could save the Union: a new constitutional settlement for the UK based on the federal model. Osborne’s Tories are wholly preoccupied with their so-called long-term economic plan. A genuine long-term plan for the constitution ought to be the overriding priority.Alistair LexdenHouse of Lords, London SW1

Nationalists’ sham

Sir: If the SNP ends up as kingmaker at Westminster, the main parties have only themselves to blame. During the referendum campaign they refused to point out that the nationalist case was a complete sham. The SNP wanted Scotland’s currency to be controlled by London or Frankfurt, its passport to be an EU not a Scottish one, its Scottish system of law to be subordinate to European law, and the vast majority of its legislation to continue to originate in Brussels. But the press and the major parties refuse to deconstruct Scottish nationalism. Given The Spectator’s support of Britain remaining in the EU, what real difference does it make if Scotland has a separate presence there or if it is run from Brussels as part of a larger province called the UK?Alan SkedProfessor of International History, LSE,London WC2

Thanks to Goldsmith

Sir: Zac Goldsmith is absolutely right (‘My dad saved the pound’, 28 February). In 2000 I addressed 10,000 people in the pouring rain in Trafalgar Square, standing on the plinth of Nelson’s Column between the statues of two almost forgotten Victorian generals that Mayor Livingstone was urging should be replaced with memorials to more contemporary heroes.

If this were to happen, I suggested, one should be a small statue of John Major, for having negotiated an opt-out from the euro for Britain at Maastricht. The other should be a much larger statue of Sir James Goldsmith, for having prodded all the major parties in 1997 into pledging that Britain could not join the euro without a referendum. Not only did this ensure, I said, that Britain would never join the single currency; it would eventually be seen as the key to why Britain left the EU.Christopher BookerLitton, Somerset

Paolozzi preserved

Sir: Contrary to Stephen Bayley’s article on public art (Arts, 28 February), the preservation of the Paolozzi murals at Tottenham Court Road station is part of Transport for London’s upgrade work. Crossrail is constructing an entirely new station next to the existing one.

The preservation of artwork and the commissioning of new works are a major feature of the station upgrade. New artworks at the new Oxford Street entrance will eventually be joined by new pieces that will complement the iconic 1984 mosaic designs by Eduardo Paolozzi, an integral part of London Underground’s heritage. TfL has worked closely with the Paolozzi Foundation and design and conservation professionals to retain 95 per cent of the mosaics in their original locations.

The new Crossrail stations in London will also have large-scale artworks. The Turner Prize-winning artists Douglas Gordon and Richard Wright have, for example, recently been commissioned to install two new pieces of art at the Tottenham Court Road station.Gareth Powell, Director of Strategy and Service Development, Transport for LondonJulian Robinson, Crossrail Head of Architecture

Bad words

Sir: Congratulations to The Spectator on its new campaign (Arts, 28 February). Can there be a more baleful two-word phrase in the language currently than ‘public art’?Tim HudsonChichester, West Sussex

Wonderful woodburners

Sir: I read of Jane Kelly’s dissatisfaction with her wood-burning stove (‘Feel the burn’, 28 February) with some surprise. It may be that I have had it lucky, but I’ve always found that they do an excellent job of heating a room, with minimal smoke and minimal effort. I suggest that Jane Kelly has her chimney swept and the stove’s seals replaced. The window can be cleaned using ashes and water. When it comes to the fire itself, a pyramid of balled-up newspaper, some old cardboard and dry kindling are the answer. Buy logs in bulk and store them under cover, and keep a decent amount indoors in a log basket so there’s no need to brave the freezing rain on winter nights. Don’t give up on your stove, Jane; they are fashionable, but that’s for a reason.Camilla SkoglyLaggan, Invernessshire

A way to fill the pews

Sir: Wouldn’t the expensive upkeep of its virtually empty buildings be mitigated if the Church of England actually tried to convert the population to the Christian religion, or is any such possibly futile mission prevented in any case by the new state ideology of ‘diversity and equality’?David AshtonSheringham, Norfolk